No. Every service prohibits a personal, intimate or sexual relationship between a recruiter and a recruit, and the DoD rule runs from your first contact with that recruiter, through entry-level training, and for six months after it ends. The ban covers texting, DMs and social media, not just meeting in person, and Coast Guard policy states it applies even when the relationship is consensual. A relationship that existed before recruiting started can be excepted, but only in writing by a commander in the grade of O-4 or higher.
| Branch | Controlling publication | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoD-wide | DoDI 1304.33 Current The DoD-wide floor; binds every service | 2015-01-28 | Official link |
| Army | AR 600-32 Current Army rule on recruiter and applicant relations | 2024-09-16 | Official link |
| Navy | OPNAVINST 5370.2E Current Covers prospects, applicants and delayed entry personnel | 2020-11-04 | Official link |
| Air Force | AFI 36-2909 Current Defines the conduct and the written exception | 2019-11-14 | Official link |
| Coast Guard | COMDTINST 1100.2I Current Consensual conduct still violates policy | 2025-06-03 | Official link |
This is not one branch's rule: the DoD instruction bars a recruiter from developing or conducting a personal, intimate or sexual relationship with a recruit, and it binds from your first contact with that recruiter through entry-level training and for six months after it ends.
“1. RECRUITING AND TRAINING PROCESSES a. Prohibited Activities. Prohibited activities between a recruit and a recruiter and a trainer providing entry-level training and a trainee are listed in paragraphs 1a(1)(a) through (n) of this section. These prohibitions apply from the first contact between a recruit and recruiter, through entry-level training, and for 6 months after the trainee completes entry-level training. This listing is not all inclusive and the Military Services may add to it. (1 ) Recruiters and trainers providing entry-level training will not: ( a) Develop, attempt to develop, or conduct a personal, intimate, or sexual relationship with a recruit or trainee. This includes, but is not limited to, dating, handholding, kissing, embracing, caressing, and engaging in sexual activities. Prohibited personal, intimate, or sexual relationships include those relationships conducted”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
You do not have to meet in person for it to be prohibited — the rule reaches cards, letters, e-mails, phone calls, instant messaging, video, photographs, social networking and texting.
“4.2.2.1. Develop or conduct a personal, intimate, or sexual relationship with a recruiter or trainer. (T-0). This includes, but is not limited to, dating, handholding, kissing, embracing, caressing, and engaging in sexual activities. Prohibited personal, intimate, or sexual relationships include those relationships conducted in person or via cards, letters, e-mails, telephone calls, instant messaging, video, photographs, social networking, texting, or any other means of communication.”
Do not assume a mutual relationship is a safe one; Coast Guard policy states that prohibited contact between recruiting personnel and a prospective member violates service policy even when it is consensual.
“3. Consequences of Sexual Misconduct. Reference (j) provides enhanced protections for prospective members and new members of the Armed Forces during entry-level processing and training. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) applies to personnel assigned to duty in the recruiting mission, including at a MEPS, among others. Inappropriate and prohibited relationships, communication, conduct, or contact between members assigned to the Coast Guard’s recruiting mission and prospective, or new members of the Armed Forces over whom the recruiting personnel exercises authority or control, constitutes a violation of Service policy. This includes when such an action is consensual.”
The prohibitions a recruit can personally be held accountable for begin on the date you actually became a member, so an applicant's own exposure starts at enlistment rather than at first contact — the recruiter's starts earlier.
“4.2.1. Prohibited activities for which a recruit or trainee, student, or cadet may be held accountable are outlined in paragraph 4.2.2. These prohibitions begin on the date on which the prospective member became a member of the Air Force and for six months after the trainee, following graduation from initial skills training, reports to his or her first permanent duty station of assignment or follow-on training program. The specific prohibitions in this chapter apply only to the Air Force recruiting and entry-level training environments. (T-0).”
If the relationship existed before the recruiting process started, it can be excepted — but the recruiter must request it in writing and only their commander in the grade of O-4 or higher can approve it, documented on DD Form 2982 or 2983.
“4.3.4. Exceptions may be granted to accommodate relationships that existed before the recruit started the recruiting process. These relationships include, but are not limited to, family members. Only the recruiter’s commander in the grade of O -4 or higher, or a higher level authority, has the authority to approve th ese exceptions. (T-0). Recruiters must request the exception in writing from their commander. (T-0). Higher level commanders may withhold this authority from subordinate commanders. Document all exceptions on Department of Defense Forms 2982 and/or 2983 as applicable. (T-0).”
Treat this as more than an administrative matter: Article 93a of the UCMJ makes prohibited activity with a recruit or trainee by a person in a position of special trust a criminal offense triable by court-martial.
“20. Article 93a (10 U.S.C. 893a) —Prohibited activities with military recruit or trainee by person in position of special trust a. Text of statute. (a) ABUSE OF TRAINING LEADERSHIP POSITION.—Any person subject to this chapter — (1) who is an officer, a noncommissioned officer, or a petty officer; (2) who is in a training leadership position with respect to a specially protected junior member of the armed forces; and (3) who engages in prohibited sexual activity with such specially protected junior member of the armed forces; shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. (b) ABUSE OF POSITION AS MILITARY RECRUITER.—Any person subject to this chapter— (1) who is a military recruiter and engages in prohibited sexual activity with an applicant for military service; or (2) who is a military recruiter and engages in prohibited sexual activity with a specially protected junior member of the”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
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Updated 2026-08-03. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.